Potting table

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use in potting plants includes a tray upon which potting materials may be placed. The tray has a generally planar base portion with a peripheral edge. A support mechanism is secured relative to the upper surface of the tray and is rotatable about a rotation axis. A plate structure sized to support a plant receptacle is supported on the support mechanism for common rotation therewith. In one form of the invention, a rim extends upwardly from an upper surface around a majority of the edge so that a gap exists in the rim. In another form of the invention, the plate structure has a retaining element positioned to engage the support mechanism to resist radial displacement during rotation. The tray may include a handle. The rotational axis may be offset from the center of the tray to provide a work area for placing the potting materials.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention broadly concerns the care and maintenance ofplants, especially household plants. More particularly, the presentinvention is directed to potting and repotting of household plants intheir respective receptacles. The invention specifically concernsapparatus to facilitate the potting and repotting of plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plants are appreciated for many reasons and it is understandable thatpeople wish to remove them from their natural habitat in order todisplay and nurture them in a wide variety of locations. One commonmeans of providing plant portability is to put the plants in pots orreceptacles which can then be selectively placed in a home, office,floral nursery or outdoors. These receptacles can come in a variety ofshapes, sizes, and materials. Oftentimes the receptacles can be quitelarge and bulky to handle.

To provide such portability the plant needs to be placed in the pot,along with the soil and possibly drainage gravel, fillers, wateringlines and any other items. This typically involves locating a worksurface for the pot and the required materials and then going throughthe process of inserting and positioning the soils, gravels, fillers,and plants within the pot.

This procedure has its problems. A first problem is that one does notalways have a dedicated work area or table set aside for plant pottingand so a kitchen table or other multi-use area is chosen for the task.The soils, water, gravels, and such can spill over onto the work areaand floor creating a mess. Another problem stems from the fact that thepot can be heavy or large and thus hard to position and move to gainaccess to all regions of the pot's perimeter, whether for the plantpotting or for decorating the pot with paint or attachments or forwrapping, etc. In these cases, one has to bend over the pot or reacharound it to gain such access. This can be annoying and time consumingat the least and lead to back or shoulder injury at the worst. Inaddition, many pots are rough on their bottom surface and can scratchthe surface they are placed upon or tear covers, such as newspaper orplastic sheet, used to protect the work surface.

Accordingly, there is a need to alleviate the aforementioned problemsand make plant potting a simple and more enjoyable process. It would bedesirable to have a portable, easily storable, work surface which can beplaced on a table or countertop and which would contain or confine thepotting materials and the subsequent mess that the task can produce. Itwould further be desirable to have a means of easily accessing the fullperimeter of the pot by supporting it on a rotatable turntable. Thepresent invention is directed to meeting these needs, among others.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus andmethod that is useful in the potting of plants.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus thatcan support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to bepotted in the plant receptacle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusthat allows rotation of a receptacle for a plant such that pottingand/or other planting materials can be distributed easily to all regionsof the receptacle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusthat effectively protects a support surface to reduce the likelihood ofdamage from a plant receptacle, tools and/or potting materials duringthe potting or repotting of a plant.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant that is simpleto use and easy to store when not in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant that isrelatively inexpensive so as to be available for a large segment of thepopulation.

According to the present invention, then, an apparatus is adapted tosupport a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to bepotted in the plant receptacle. In one embodiment, the apparatusincludes a tray that is adapted to be placed on a support surface forsupporting potting materials thereon. The tray includes a generallyplanar base portion having and upper surface, a lower surface and aperipheral edge. The tray also includes an upstanding rim portionextending upwardly from and around a majority of the peripheral edge ofthe base portion. This rim has a gap formed therein. A support mechanismis secured relative to the upper surface of the base portion of the trayand is rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicularto the base portion. A plate structure is then adapted to be supportedon the support mechanism for common rotation therewith when in thesupported state. The plate structure is sized and adapted to support aplant receptacle thereon for common rotation therewith such that theplant receptacle may be rotated relative to the tray. The supportmechanism may have a rotational bearing and a platform that is affixedto the bearing for rotation therewith. This platform, in the disclosedembodiments, is in the form of a flat disk. Optional registrations markshelpful to align a plant receptacle on the plate structure may beprovided.

In the disclosed embodiments, the base portion is generally polygonal inshape with the base portion and rim having common vertices. The gap islocated, then, at one of the vertices. The tray may also include a trayhandle that is disposed proximately to the rim portion. Further, thetray may be constructed of a material such as plastics, masonite andlexan. The rim portion may be formed of as an upturned extension of thebase portion.

Further, in the disclosed embodiment, the base portion has a centralaxis that extends perpendicularly from the upper surface. The rotationalaxis of the support mechanism is generally parallel to and offset fromthe central axis. Here, the plate structure and the base portion aresized so that, when the plate structure is in the supported state, theupper surface of the base portion has an exposed working area that issufficiently sized to allow access to potting material placed thereon.

The plate structure, in the disclosed embodiment, has a lower platesurface adapted to engage the support mechanism and an upper surfaceopposite the lower surface. Here, the plate structure is removablysupported on the support mechanism. The plate structure may have a lipthat extends upwardly from its upper surface with this lip surroundingthe peripheral plate edge. This lip is formed and sized to allow thesupport plate to be inverted and placed over the support mechanismthereby to enclose the support mechanism for storage in a storage state.Means are provided for retaining the support plate in the stored plate.For example, this retaining means may be magnets or clips. Where magnetsare provided, such magnets may also help retain the plate structure inthe supported state.

The plate structure may also include a retaining element disposed on thelower surface and positioned to engage the support mechanism thereby toresist radial displacement of the plate structure relative to therotational axis during rotation thereof. For example, these retainingelements may be in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive theplatform of the support mechanism. Alternatively, the retaining elementmay be a circular ridge that can nestably receive the platform. Further,as noted above, the retaining elements can be one or magnets disposed oneither platform of the support structure or the plate structure itself.

The present invention also contemplates a method for potting a plant.The method may include any of the steps inherent in the above-describedstructure. Broadly, however, the method includes the step of providing atray that includes a rotatable support mechanism thereon. The methodthen includes the step of supporting a receptacle for a plant on therotatable support mechanism and placing potting materials and tools ontoa working area located on an upper surface of the tray. The methodfurther includes the step of positioning a plant in the receptacle andtransferring potting materials from the work area to the receptaclethereby to pot the plant in the receptacle.

These and other objects of the present invention will become morereadily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention shown on a support surface and itself supportingpotting materials, a tool and a plant in a receptacle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view in cross-section of the first embodimentof the present invention FIG. 1 with a plant receptacle thereon;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are side views in cross-section of the firstembodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 respectively showing areceptacle in a supported state and with the apparatus in the storedstate;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are plan views of the first embodiment of thepresent invention respectively showing the apparatus in a state ready tosupport a receptacle and with the apparatus in the stored state;

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are enlarged side views in cross-section of thefirst embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 respectively showing areceptacle in a supported state and with the apparatus in the storedstate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the platestructure;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the platestructure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial sectional view of a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention showing a receptacle in the supportedstate; and

FIG. 11 is a partial, sectional view of the second embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention in the stored state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally concerns a potting table which isportable and may be placed on an existing work surface such as a tableor counter top. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a pottingtable which can support a plant receptacle, or pot, and which providesfor a working area where soils and tools may be placed and containedduring the potting process. In addition, the present invention concernsa plant receptacle support which can freely rotate with respect to thetable and thus provide a convenient means for inserting plants andmaterials into the pot. The present invention also concerns a pottingtable which can be conveniently stored when not in use.

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 that isadapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plantto be potted in the plant receptacle. Here, apparatus 10 is illustratedresting on a support surface 12 such as a counter top, table top or thelike, and is situated near an edge 13 thereof. Apparatus 10 includes atray 22 and a plate structure 50 described more thoroughly below. Aplant receptacle 16 with plant 14 potted therein is depicted in asupported state wherein receptacle 16 is rotatably supported on platestructure 50. Potting material 18 and tool 20 are shown in this figureresting on working area 44.

The structure of apparatus 10 may be more fully appreciated in referenceto FIGS. 1, 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b). In these Figures, it may beseen that tray 22 is polygonal in shape. Here, specifically, tray 22 isrectangular so as to have four vertices 34 at the corners of a generallyplanar base portion 26. Although the tray 22 shown in this embodiment isrectangular in plan, one can appreciate that other planar shapes, suchas a square, hexagon, or other polygon can be utilized. The tray 22 maybe constructed of a variety of light yet relatively stiff materialsincluding Masonite, Lexan, plastic and the like.

An upstanding rim portion 28 extends around a majority of the peripheraledge 29 of the base portion 26 of tray 22. The rim portion 28 is formedupwardly of the base portion 26 and is sized to provide a side wall inorder to help retain the potting materials 18, water, tools 20, and anyother items conventionally used in potting or repotting the plant 14 inwork area 44 of apparatus 10. The rim portion 28 contains a gap 30placed at one of the vertices 34 and is sized to allow any loosematerials and liquids to drain off of the base portion 26 when the tray22 is to be cleaned. Naturally, more than one gap 30 can be formed onthe rim portion 28. A handle 24 having a hand-hold opening 25 is formedproximate to rim portion 28 and may be an extension of the rim portion28 that projects generally parallel to the base portion 26. Handle 24offers a convenient means for carrying the tray 22. In addition, tray22, including base portion 26 and rim portion 28, may be formed as aone-piece, integral molded construction.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3(a) and 5(a), it may be seen thatapparatus 10 includes a support mechanism 36 and a plate structure 50.The support mechanism 36 includes a bearing 38 and platform 40 and isintended to provide a means of supporting the plate structure 50 and toprovide its free rotation with respect to the tray 22. The bearing 38 isany one of a variety of commercially available turntable bearings suchas those found in “lazy susans.” As is known to the ordinary skilledartisan, these bearings are mechanisms which attach to two planarsurfaces and provide a load-bearing support of one upon the other andallow a low-friction rotation of one with respect to the other.

Referring to FIG. 2 and 5(a), the bearing 38 is affixed by screws 72 tothe base 26 of tray 22 and by screws 73 to platform 40. In this manner,the bearing 38 carries the loads placed upon the platform 40 and allowsrotation of platform 40 and the associated load with respect to the tray22 about rotational axis “R” that is generally perpendicular to the base26. One skilled in the art can appreciate that means other than screws72,73 are available for affixing the bearing 38 and platform 40including adhesives, bolts and direct forming of the bearing 38 onto thetray 22 and platform 40 during manufacturing. The platform 40 is acircular disc with an upper platform surface 42 and a peripheralplatform edge 43 and may be constructed of a variety of light yetrelatively stiff materials including Masonite, Lexan, and plastics. Theplatform 40 also includes one or more magnets 66 mounted within theplatform 40 and positioned to be flush with the platform surface 42.

Plate structure 50 fits upon the platform 40 of support mechanism 36 intwo different states: in a supported state as shown in FIGS. 1, 3(a),4(a) and 5(a) and in a stored state as shown in FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and5(b). When in the supported state, the plate structure 50 is intended tohold a plant receptacle 16 (and any plant potted therein) for rotationabout axis “R”. When in the stored state, the plate structure 50 isinverted and retained on tray 22 with support mechanism 36 enclosedthereby. To this end, the plate structure 50 is circular and dish-shapedin configuration. Also, as seen in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), base portion 51of plate structure 50 has an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54. Afrusto-conical sidewall 53 extends upwardly from base portion 51 andterminates in an outwardly turned lip 56. Sidewall 53 provides a barrierto contain loose potting materials that may spill from the plantreceptacle 16 during the potting process.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4(b), 5(a), 5(b) and 7, the plate structure50 may be seen to have an engagement element in the form of a circularridge 60 located on the lower surface 54 to define a cavity 61 whichnests with the platform 40 to secure the plate 50 from sliding withrespect to the platform 40 while in use in the supported state. As shownin FIG. 4(a), the upper surface 52 of plate structure 50 has a series ofconcentric centering marks 64 inscribed or painted onto the surface 52which act as a visual aid for centering the plant receptacle 16 onto theplate 50. These marks 64 can have radii chosen to match the base radiiof conventional plant receptacles.

As mentioned, FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b) show the plate structure 50in the stored state. In this stored state, the plate 50 is inverted andplaced over the support mechanism 36 thereby enclosing it. The plate 50,along with sidewall 53, is sized and shaped such that the lip 56contacts the tray base 26 and the upper surface 52 of plate 50 contactsthe platform 40 when in the stored state. In this embodiment, the plate50 is constructed of a ferro-magnetic material such as steel or iron.Thus, the magnets 66, mounted within the platform 40, magneticallyretain the plate structure 50 onto the platform 40. These magnets 66also contact the lower surface 54 of plate 50 when in the supportedstate and serve to aid in holding the plate 50 onto the platform 40.

The bearing 38 is located on the base 26 of tray 22 such that itprovides a conveniently sized working area 44 on base 26. FIGS. 1, 2,3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) show this relationship. In FIGS. 2, 3(a),3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) it is seen that tray 22 has a central axis “C” whichextends perpendicular to the base 26. The bearing 38 is mounted suchthat its axis of rotation “R” is offset from axis “C” and is positionedclose to the rim 28 of tray 10. Plate structure 50 is sized such thatits lip 56 is positioned close to, but within the confines of, the rimportion 28 of tray 22. As also illustrated in the Figures, handle 24 oftray 22 is located on an edge of the rim portion 28 opposite of thelocation of rotational axis “R”.

As previously discussed, when in the supported state, the engagementelement of plate structure 50 mates with the platform 40 of supportmechanism 36. In the first exemplary embodiment, the engagement elementis shaped as a concentric ridge 60 which forms a plate cavity 61 withinwhich the platform 40 fits when the plate is in the supported state. Theridge 60 is sized and shaped such that the support surface 42 contactsthe lower surface 54 of plate 50 and ridge 60 encloses the platform edge43. In this manner, the plate 50 is secured from sliding with respect tothe platform 40 while in use in the supported state.

A second embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a plant receptacleand potting materials for a plant is shown in FIGS. 8-11. Thisembodiment varies from the first exemplary embodiment in the engagementstructure of the plate on the rotatable platform and in the retention ofthe plate in the stored state. With reference to these Figures, then,apparatus 110 includes a tray 122 and a plate structure 150. Tray 122has a base portion 126 and an upstanding rim portion 128 similar to tray22. A bearing 138 is fastened to base portion 126 by suitable screws sothat support platform 140, and a supported receptacle 16 may rotaterelative to tray 122. The engagement of the plate structure 150 ontosupport platform 140, when in the supported state, is accomplished byfour posts 162 positioned concentrically around the lower surface 154 ofplate structure 150 such that the posts 162 nestably capture theplatform edge 143 of support platform 140 and center the plate structure150 upon the support platform 140. This second embodiment also includeslock tabs 166, attached with screws 172 to the base portion 126, whereinthe lock tabs 166 serve to releasably secure the plate structure 150 tothe base 126 when in the stored state, as shown in FIG. 11. The locktabs 166 are Z-shaped flexible, plastic tabs with a latch portion 168which captures the lip 156 of the plate structure 150 and which can bepulled back with a digit of the hand to either insert the platestructure 150 in the stored position or to release it from the storedposition. As indicated in FIG. 10, the lock tabs 166 are sized such thatthey do not interfere with the rotation of the plate structure 150 whenin the supported state.

From the foregoing, it should also be appreciated that the presentinvention contemplates a method for potting a plant. This method mayinclude any steps inherent in the above-described structures. Broadly,though, the method includes the step of providing a tray that includes arotatable support mechanism thereon. The method then includes the stepsof supporting a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable supportmechanism and placing potting materials and tools onto a working arealocated on an upper surface of the tray. The method includes the stepsof positioning a plant in the receptacle and transferring pottingmaterials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot said plantin said receptacle.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degreeof particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present inventionis defined by the following claims constructed in light of the prior artso that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention without departing from theinventive concepts contained herein

1. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materialsfor a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising: (A) a trayadapted to be placed on a support surface for supporting pottingmaterials thereon and including (1) a generally planar base portionhaving an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge and (2)an upstanding rim portion extending upwardly from and around a majorityof the peripheral edge of said base portion, said rim having a gapformed therein; (B) a support mechanism secured relative to the uppersurface of said base portion and rotatable about a rotational axis thatis generally perpendicular to said base portion; and (C) a platestructure adapted to be supported on the support mechanism for commonrotation therewith when in a supported state, said plate structure sizedand adapted to support a plant receptacle thereon for common rotationtherewith whereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to saidtray.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base portion isgenerally polygonal in shape with said base portion and said rim portionhaving common vertices.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein thegap is located at one of said vertices.
 4. Apparatus according to claim1 wherein said tray includes a tray handle disposed proximate to saidrim portion.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray isconstructed of a material including plastics, masonite and lexan. 6.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim portion is formed as anupturned extension of said base portion.
 7. Apparatus according to claim1 wherein said base portion has a central axis extending perpendicularlyfrom the upper surface thereof and wherein the rotational axis of saidsupport mechanism being generally parallel to and offset from thecentral axis, said plate structure and base portion being sized suchthat, when said plate structure is in the supported state, the uppersurface of said base portion has an exposed working area that issufficiently sized to allow access to potting materials placed thereon.8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plate structure has alower plate surface adapted to engage said support mechanism and anupper surface opposite the lower surface, said plate structure beingremovably supported on said support mechanism.
 9. Apparatus according toclaim 8 wherein said plate structure includes a lip extending upwardlyof the upper surface and surrounding a peripheral plate edge. 10.Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lip is formed and sized toallow said support plate to be inverted and place over said supportmechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism for storage in astored state.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including means forretaining said support plate in the stored state.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 11 including at least one magnet disposed on one ofsaid platform and said plate structure, said magnet operative to helpretain said plate structure on said platform when in both the supportedand stored states.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said platestructure includes a retaining element disposed on the lower surface andpositioned to engage said support mechanism thereby to resist radialdisplacement of said plate structure relative to said rotational axis.14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a plurality of retainingelements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive said platform.15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said retaining element isdefined by at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform and saidplate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said platestructure on said platform when in the supported state.
 16. Apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein said support mechanism includes a platformaffixed to said support mechanism and adapted to support said platestructure.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said platform isformed as a flat disc.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidplate structure including centering marks on an upper surface thereof.19. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and pottingmaterials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising:(A) a generally planar base having an upper surface and adapted to beplaced on a support surface and to support potting materials thereon;(B) a support mechanism secured to said base and rotatable about arotational axis that is generally perpendicular to said base; and (C) aplate structure having an upper surface and a lower surface and adaptedto be removably supported on the support mechanism for common rotationtherewith, said plate structure including at least one retaining elementdisposed on the lower surface thereof and positioned to engage saidsupport mechanism thereby to define a supported state and to resistradial displacement of said plate structure relative to the rotationalaxis, the upper surface of said plate structure being sized and adaptedto support a plant receptacle whereby the plant receptacle may berotated relative to said base.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19wherein said tray includes a tray handle disposed on an edge of saidbase portion.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said supportmechanism includes a platform affixed to said support mechanism andadapted to support said plate structure.
 22. Apparatus according toclaim 19 wherein said base has a central axis extending perpendicularlyfrom the upper surface thereof and wherein the rotational axis of saidsupport mechanism is generally parallel to and offset from the centralaxis, said plate structure and base being sized such that, when saidplate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of saidbase has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allowaccess to potting materials placed thereon.
 23. Apparatus according toclaim 19 wherein said plate structure is generally configured as acircular dish including a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from acentral dish portion.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein saidlip is formed and sized to allow said support plate to be inverted andplace over said support mechanism thereby to enclose said supportmechanism for storage in a stored state.
 25. Apparatus according toclaim 24 including means for retaining said support plate in the storedstate.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 19 including a plurality ofretaining elements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive saidplatform.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said retainingelement is defined by at least one magnet disposed on one of saidplatform and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retainsaid plate structure on said platform when in the supported state. 28.Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materialsfor a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising: (A) agenerally planar base having a peripheral edge and adapted to be placedon a support surface, said planar base having a central axis extendingperpendicularly from an upper surface thereof; (B) a support mechanismsecured to said base and rotatable about a rotational axis that isgenerally parallel to and offset from the central axis of said base; and(C) a plate structure having an upper plate surface, a lower platesurface and a surrounding plate edge, said plate structure adapted to besupported on the support mechanism in a supported state for commonrotation therewith and sized to support a plant receptacle thereonwhereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to said base, saidplate structure and said base being sized such that, when said platestructure is in the supported state, the upper surface of said base hasan exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access topotting materials placed thereon.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 28wherein said base is a tray including an upstanding rim extendingupwardly from and around said peripheral edge, said rim having at leastone gap formed therein.
 30. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein saidtray is rectangular having vertices wherein said gap is formed at atleast one of said vertices.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 28 whereinsaid tray includes a tray handle affixed to said rim and located distalto said rotational axis.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 28 whereinsaid support mechanism includes a bearing adapted to provide saidrotation about said rotational axis and a platform affixed to saidsupport mechanism and adapted to support said plate structure. 33.Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said plate structure includes alip extending upwardly and outwardly from a surrounding plate edge. 34.Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said lip is formed and sized toallow said support plate to be inverted and place over said supportmechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism for storage in astored state.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 34 including means forretaining said support plate in the stored state.
 36. A method forpotting a plant comprising: (A) providing a tray that includes arotatable support mechanism thereon; (B) supporting a receptacle for aplant on the rotatable support mechanism; (C) placing potting materialsand tools onto a working area located on an upper surface of said tray;(D) positioning a plant in said receptacle; and (E) transferring pottingmaterials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot said plantin said receptacle.